型号
xíng hào · HSK 4
model number
🔢 型 = mold/form + 号 = number → form-number = model number
型 xíng means mold or pattern (from 土 earth + 刑 as phonetic); 号 hào means number or designation. Together they label which specific version or variant of a product you have, like iPhone 15 Pro.
型 — earth 土 + 刑 (xíng, phonetic)
型 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 土 (earth) component points to its original meaning: a clay or earthen mold used for casting. The right side 刑 supplies the sound. From 'casting mold' it broadened to mean 'model, type, pattern' in modern usage.
号 — mouth 口 + tiger 虎
Originally written 號, combining 口 (mouth, indicating a cry or call) with 虎 (tiger) as the phonetic and a hint at a loud roar. It first meant to shout or call out, then extended to a name, title, or signal. The simplified form 号 keeps only the upper element.